Family looking for answers after Publix forklift operator dies

A forklift operator at a Florida-based supermarket died on the job, and his family wants answers.

Family members said Pierre Fritz Marcelin, 56, of West Palm Beach, died about an hour after the June 13 incident at the Publix distribution center in Boynton Beach.

Police said there was no foul play that contributed to the accident that claimed the life of a father of five.

According to the police report, Marcelin rounded the corner in the distribution center and did not see a pallet on the floor. In an attempt to avoid colliding with the pallet, Marcelin spun his steering handle sharply. This caused him to be thrown from the standup-style forklift. After being thrown from the driver's area, he was struck by the same forklift, crushing him between the forklift and the riser column.

Other employees said there was no immediate visible injury and Marcelin was conscious but appeared to be disoriented, the report stated.

Craig Goldenfarb, an attorney for Marcelin's family, said he was contacted because the Marcelins told him they were not getting any information about the accident from Publix officials.

"They called and merely said, 'Your father's been killed,'" Goldenfarb said. "They didn't give any information about how it happened (or) why it happened. Now there are lots of questions."

Marcelin's son, Kenny Marcelin, said he is traumatized.

"I just wanted information at first," he said. "I just want to know how, what happened. I feel like he devoted his life to Publix where they could at least (write) an article about him."

Publix spokeswoman Kim Reynolds said a representative did contact family members about the incident and talked to them at the hospital.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Publix family member," Reynolds said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the associate's family."

She went on to say that Publix is conducting an internal investigation.